Woking

Woking's population expanded in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, ethnicity and housing tenure.

The population passed 99,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Woking increased by 10%, from about 89,800 to 99,200.

The addition of just under 9,400 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Woking was home to, on average, 11 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Woking

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Woking increased by one year, from 37 to 38 years.

This affluent suburban area had a lower average age than the South East and became slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 2,300 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years.

About 15% of people in Woking are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Woking by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households in Woking, which comprised a single parent, remained close to 7.4% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (40%) households had a married couple, compared with 41% in 2001. The percentage of households in Woking, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 8.3% to 9.4%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 8.0% in 2001 to 9.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.5% to 11%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households that had a single parent across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Woking

The percentage of Woking residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 91% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.6%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.0% in 2001. The percentage of Woking residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.1% to 6.7%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 91% in 2001 to 90% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Woking

The number of people in Woking that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 14,000 in 2001 to just under 23,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 15% to 23% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the South East (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Woking that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 64,000 in 2001 to about 58,000 in 2011 (from 71% to 59%). The number of people who described themselves as Muslim increased from about 4,600 to just over 7,300 (from 5.1% to 7.4%).

About 7,300 people (6.8%) did not state their religion, up from just over 6,100 in 2001 (7.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Woking increased by 8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Woking by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Woking

The number of people in Woking from the White ethnic groups decreased from about 82,000 in 2001 to about 83,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 91% to 84%.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the South East (from 95% to 91%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Woking from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 5,600 in 2001 to just over 11,000 in 2011 (from 6.3% to 12%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 1,200 to about 2,300 (from 1.4% to 2.4%).

About 1,400 people (0.5%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 450 in 2001 (1.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Woking decreased by 7.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Woking by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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